Dungeon Predator (WN)

Personal connections were power. Kang Oh received a message faster than he'd expected.

- Oppa, Soo Min Unni knows a tailor!

It was Asu. Once she saw Kang Oh's message, she spread it to all her friends, and had gotten a message back from Chef Soo Min.

- Really?

- Yeah. Apparently, the Master Tailor is inside her shop right now.

- Where is it?

- I'll go with you. I'll see you in the Gourmet City, Correa. I'll be at the gate!

- Got it.

The Gourmet City, Correa. It was originally a small, unassuming city, but was eventually called the Gourmet City. This was due to one person, and one person only.

Alain, a legendary chef who was known as the 'God of Cooking'.

Kang Oh knew there was a realm that went beyond Master, so he assumed that Alain was a Grandmaster Chef.

Anyhow, Alain had set up shop in Correa. Countless people came to the city to try his cooking, and the once small, dainty city had become so large that it was hardly recognizable. Correa was also called Alain's City.

Plus, other chefs began to open up shop in Correa, increasing the renown of the Gourmet City. Hundreds of years after Alain's death, Correa was still renowned for its great food.

Whir.

Kang Oh stepped out of Correa's intercity transfer gate. Befitting its title as the Gourmet City, his nose was filled with mouthwatering smells.

"Oppa." Asu, who'd been waiting for him, waved her hand.

Chirp!

The Phoenix Chick, Rudy, who'd been using Asu's head as a nest, flapped its tiny wings and greeted Kang Oh.

"Asu, Rudy!"

"Let's go." Asu grabbed his hand. The two quickly pushed through the crowd. "It's that one over there." Asu pointed at one of the shops.

It was a small restaurant that gave off a simple, honest vibe. The restaurant was called Little Gift!

"Unni, I'm here," Asu entered the restaurant and said brightly.

"Yeah. Give me a second." Chef Lee Soo Min was currently serving one of her customers.

The restaurant only had four tables, so Chef Soo Min did it all, whether it be taking orders, cooking, or servicing.

"Her restaurant is only open two hours a day," Asu muttered.

Chef Lee Soo Min was a famous chef in real life too; she had her own restaurant. Which meant that she couldn't afford to play a virtual reality game all day long.

Thus, she opened 'Little Gift' for two hours a day. After all, it was fun cooking ingredients that could only be found in Arth.

"Please enjoy." Lee Soo Min, who'd finished serving her customers, motioned for Kang Oh and Asu to come over.

She was standing at a table with a middle-aged man, who gave off a simple vibe and was currently enjoying his dessert.

"Say hello. This is Mr. Dink. He's Dink Workshop's best craftsman, which is renowned for its high quality goods." Soo Min introduced the middle-aged man.

"Hello, my name is Kang Oh."

"My name is Asu."

Kang Oh and Asu immediately introduced themselves.

"They're my close friends," Soo Min said softly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Dink smiled.

"Unni, Dink Workshop makes Diole luxury bags!" Asu's eyes glittered.

"That's right." Soo Min nodded her head.

"So why did you want to see me?" Dink asked.

His actions, his tone, and his speech were all polite and respectful. He wasn't the type of person to lord over others using his position or his age as an excuse.

"I have a favor to ask you," Kang Oh said carefully.

"What is it?"

"Have you ever worked with dragon materials before?"

"It's the best leather. And I have some experience with it, yes."

"I'd like you to make me some dragon leather armor." Kang Oh went straight to the point.

"How much do you have?"

"I have enough to produce a full armor set."

"You have quite a bit in stock. Where exactly did you get it? No..."

Like most craftsmen, Dink's creative urges flared whenever he was presented with a rare material.

However...!

"I don't know how to make armor. I've only ever made craft items, so I can't help you," Dink said, explaining why he couldn't fulfill his request.

"You can make it with a Master Blacksmith; a dwarf blacksmith at that. You just need to process the leather."

"Mm. It's quite an enticing offer. To think I'd get the chance to work with a dwarf blacksmith and touch dragon skin." Dink's eyes gleamed.

"Then?"

"Please bring the Master Blacksmith to Dink Workshop. I'd like to meet him and have a long discussion."

"That'd be kind of difficult."

"Why is that?"

"There are some extenuating circumstances that force the blacksmith to stay inside. You can go to him, but he can't come to you."

"Mm." He looked to be at his wit's end.

"Can't you come with me, Mr. Dink?" Kang Oh said carefully.

"Is it far?"

"It is, but we can use a gate to get there immediately."

"Hmm, I'm kind of busy myself, so I can't afford to just leave..." Dink stroked his beard.

"Then let's go right now."

"Right now?"

"Yes. I won't take too much of your time. And I'll guarantee your safety."

"That'll be somewhat difficult."

This was the first time he'd met Kang Oh. How could he trust him to keep him safe? Not only that, but he was taking him to someplace he'd never been to before.

This was a conclusion that any rational person would come to.

"If it puts you at ease, please bring the workshop's guards. These are dragon materials we're talking about here. They're not something you can get just anywhere." Kang Oh tried persuading him.

"Mm." Dink was locked in thought. 'What do I do?'

"If we have any dragon leather left over, I'll give it to you as a gift."

Kang Oh threw him some huge bait. 'Fall for it!'

"Mm." Dink's eyes shook. 'Dragon materials!'

Asu helped him out too. She clasped her hands at Soo Min. 'Unni, help!'

Soo Min sighed and said, "Mr. Dink, I'll go with you."

"You're willing to come with me, Chef?"

"Yes. You might not trust them, but you trust me."

"I do. Anyone who's tasted your food would trust you." Dink smiled, and Soo Min followed suit. He was absolutely obsessed with Soo Min's cooking, so he came here every day.

"Alright. Then I, two guards, and Chef Soo Min will accompany you." Dink finally accepted Kang Oh's request.

"Thank you." Kang Oh bowed his head.

Sometime later...

Two skilled guards showed up, and Soo Min closed up shop.

"Let's go!"

Kang Oh's party used the intercity transfer gate to teleport to the Black Hammer Dwarves' Hideout.

The Black Hammer Dwarf who stood guard over the magic circle was shocked by the new members and responded with hostility. However, Kang Oh explained the situation, and was able to appease him.

After that, Kang Oh briefly explained why the Black Hammer Dwarves lived in hiding. To be more specific, he explained how the Black Hammer Dwarves were avoiding the Black Dragon, Inarius.

"To think that something like that happened."

Dink, Soo Min, and Asu looked either shocked or sympathetic.

"That's why they drew their weapons on you. They panicked, thinking that you might be working for Inarius. That's also why they can't return to the continent," Kang Oh said.

"I see."

"I understand."

Dink and Soo Min nodded their heads.

"Anyhow, please come this way." Kang Oh led his party to Hoffman's personal office. "Mr. Hoffman, I've brought over a Master Tailor."

"Already?" Hoffman looked shocked for a change.

Kang Oh hadn't even left for very long, and had come back with a Master Tailor. Even he couldn't help but be surprised.

"This is the Black Hammer Dwarves' Master Blacksmith, Mr. Hoffman. And this person is the Master Tailor, Mr. Dink." Kang Oh introduced the two to each other, and they shook hands.

"My name is Hoffman."

"I am Dink."

"May I see the dragon materials?" Dink asked.

"Of course." Hoffman led him to a shelf, which was filled with dragon materials.

"Ooh." Dink marveled at the sight. The shelf wasn't just filled with dragon skin, but also dragon bones, claws, scales, as well as materials that could only be procured in the volcanic region.

"Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Dink stated that he specialized in leather goods, but he was unable to make armor, so..."

Hoffman raised his hand and stopped him. "From here, we'll take care of it ourselves."

"Excuse me?"

Hoffman stared at Dink. "Mr. Dink, I can tell how much work you put into making leather just from the calyces on your hands. So let's work together," Hoffman said strongly.

Dink smiled. "Me too. An artisan's hands don't lie. How do you plan on making it?"

"That's... Ah, we'll take it from here, so please leave." Hoffman waved his hand at Kang Oh, Asu, Soo Min, and the guards. In other words, 'You'll get in the way, so please leave.'.

"Guards, please stand outside the door," Dink said.

"Understood!"

"Yes, sir!"

Asu, Soo Min, and the guards left Hoffman's private workplace.

"Then, I'm counting on you," Kang Oh said, and then left.

"It went well, right?" Asu asked.

"Yeah. It couldn't go any better." Kang Oh grinned. Then, he bowed towards Soo Min. "Thank you for your help."

"It wasn't free." Soo Min smiled impishly.

"Yes, I'll pay you back. Just say the word," Kang Oh replied.

"Hehe, I was just kidding. Come eat at Yurim with Soo Ah next time. Watching people enjoy my food is good enough for me."

Yurim was Soo Min's real life restaurant. It was also the name of her precious daughter.

"Understood!"

"I think I'll have to go now. I'll see you later."

"Yes."

"See you later, Unni."

Soo Min logged out. Then, Asu and Kang Oh walked through the Black Hammer Dwarves' Hideout side by side.

"Oppa, what are you going to do now?"

"I've done everything I needed to do, so I'm going to go out and hunt again. If I want to complete Valan's quest, then I can't waste any time."

"Can't you just play with me today?" Asu pulled on Kang Oh's hand.

"Sorry."

Kang Oh really wanted to do that too. However, he wasn't the type to delay urgent matters.

"Mm." Asu's cheeks swelled.

Chirp!

At some point, Rudy, who'd remained within Asu's chest, popped its head out and warbled.

"Ah, that's right."

Upon seeing Rudy, Kang Oh remembered something. He pulled out Acasus's Book from his inventory and passed it to Asu.

"What's this?"

"A present."

"Hmph, it's not a romantic present at all!" Asu slightly glared at him.

"But it's a good present for you and Rudy."

"Me and... Rudy?" Asu tilted her head.

"It's Acasus's Book. Using this book either increases a pet's growth or randomly teaches you a Tamer skill."

"Hmm, this is..." Asu looked the book over. "Can I use it right away?"

"Of course you can. Use it however you wish."

"Hehe, then I'm going to use it!" Asu opened Acasus's Book and bright light radiated from within.

[You have opened a book written by the Legendary Tamer, Acasus.]

[You may choose between two choices.]

[1. Increase a pet's growth. Applicable Target: Phoenix Rudy.]

[2. Learn a random Tamer skill. There is a 5% chance that you learn a Tamer secret move.]

It was a parent's desire to see their child grow healthy. Thus, Asu chose option #1.

"Give Rudy strength!"

Bam!

Acasus's Book burned. Despite that, Asu's hands didn't feel hot at all.

The flames slowly rose, and pushed into Asu's chest. To be more specific, they were seeping into Rudy, who'd extended its head.

Chirp!

Although it looked like a chick, it was actually a Phoenix. High quality flames were not only its favorite food, but the most nutritious food for it!

It opened its small mouth and immediately devoured the flames!

A short while later...

Burp!

Once it finished its meal, Rudy burped. Small flames, like that of a lighter, came out of its beak, but it immediately consumed that tiny light too.

Chirp!

Rudy forcefully flapped its wings. Its body and wings had gotten slightly larger, and the feather on its head had become red.

[The Phoenix Chick, Rudy, has grown. Rudy's growth rate has increased.]

[It may now spew weak flames. It is strong enough to light matches.]

[Once a week, it may transform into a true Phoenix for 5 minutes. However, the size of its true form is determined by how much fire it has eaten thus far.]

[Your abilities as a Phoenix Knight will increase depending on how much Rudy has grown.

Asu quickly read the system messages.

"Transform into a Phoenix's body?" Asu muttered.

At that moment...

Chirp!

All of a sudden, Rudy's body transformed into a large, uncontainable fire. Then, it stared at them with its bright, beady eyes, but with a Phoenix's body, not a chick's.